When you have an eye for design, the possibilities are limitless. Our graduates find success in vastly different areas of the graphic design industry, from logo design and animation to freelance photography, art direction and more.
And while some students may already know what they want to pursue, maybe you are just beginning to explore your options.
If you’re unsure about pursuing a creative career, worry not — you can determine your career-readiness level by taking our quick 5-question quiz. Then, you can better decide on your creative career path.
Start by taking the quiz, then explore the many potential career paths available to you on this page!
An Art Director plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of a project, overseeing the design and artistic aspects to create a cohesive and engaging visual narrative. They collaborate closely with creative teams, including graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers, to bring ideas to life and ensure they align with the project’s goals and vision. Additionally, Art Directors often work closely with clients to understand their needs and expectations, translating them into compelling visual concepts. Their role requires a strong artistic vision and excellent communication and leadership skills to guide and inspire their team toward a successful outcome.
A Brand Designer specializes in creating visual elements representing a brand’s identity. They collaborate with clients and other team members to develop logos, typography, color palettes, and other brand assets. Using their creative skills and design software like Adobe Creative Suite, they craft visual identities that effectively communicate the brand’s values and message.
A Creative Director oversees a project or organization’s creative direction and vision. They lead a team of art directors, designers, artists, writers, filmmakers, and more, ensuring that the creative work meets the client’s objectives and maintains a consistent brand identity. Creative Directors often collaborate with clients, account executives, and other stakeholders to develop concepts, pitch ideas, and deliver innovative solutions. They must have excellent leadership, communication, and creative skills and a deep understanding of design principles and trends.
You must be a team player to be a Design Assistant! This role is typically an entry-level position responsible for supporting the more advanced designers in all aspects of a project or campaign. The Design Assistant has a fantastic opportunity to learn hands-on from his or her boss by experiencing what the life of a senior designer is like!
This position uses computer programs to create visuals and effects for digital media outlets like movies, websites, video games and 3D animations. Digital Media Designers utilize computer-generated media to convey messages and information, just as a traditional Graphic Designer would use print media. Their creative designs can be distributed through many channels, including the Internet, film, television, and on mobile platforms. As the mobile technology field continues to grow, so does the demand for Digital Media Designers. It is common for people in this position to freelance, so if you’d like to be your own boss you may be interested in this field!
The Graphic Designer has an all-encompassing role responsible for combining visual design, color theory, and the fundamentals of composition. This person uses design software, usually the Adobe Creative Suite, to create digital or print designs. The Graphic Designer is hands-on, working closely with many others, including the client, Art Director, Design Assistant, Web Developers, and more! Their job usually means juggling many projects simultaneously, so multitasking skills are necessary.
As an Illustrator, you’ll have the chance to create images that will inform, persuade, and entertain your clients’ target audiences! Using your imagination and artistic skills, you will transform client briefs into unique works of art. Your work could quickly appear in newspapers or magazines, as part of an advertising campaign, or even on a website. Illustration is a great way to express your unique vision and style as a freelance contractor or as part of a team.
The Layout Designer is an artist who assembles images and typography to create a visual design. They “layout” and make the format for the design using graphic design principles. Layout Designers may be responsible for all marketing material, including posters, presentations, emails, brochures, websites, etc. Adobe InDesign is the industry standard program for layout design.
A Packaging Designer focuses on creating compelling packaging for products. They work closely with clients and marketing teams to develop packaging concepts that align with the brand’s identity and appeal to the target audience. Using design software and often working with prototypes, they ensure that the packaging is visually appealing but also functional and practical. Packaging Designers need to understand branding, marketing, and consumer behavior to create packaging that stands out on shelves and communicates the product’s value.
Photo editors coordinate the positioning and editing of photos in magazines, websites, and newspapers. Sometimes, they supervise a team of photographers. Newspapers or book publishers employ photo editors in a variety of industries. One of their duties is editing the photos to improve quality. Another is maintaining deadlines for publications and assignments. Many start their careers as photographers with an education in the graphic design field. In addition to technical training, photo editors must be organized and have excellent visual skills.
A Print Specialist produces printed materials, such as brochures, flyers, posters, and business cards. They are responsible for ensuring that printed materials are high quality, accurate, and produced efficiently. Print Specialists work closely with graphic designers, clients, and print vendors to coordinate the printing process from start to finish. They must understand printing techniques, materials, and technologies to ensure the final product meets the client’s requirements.
A Motion Designer is a visual artist who creates motion graphics, animation, and visual effects for various media, including film, television, and digital platforms. They use specialized software like Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D to bring graphics and visuals to life, adding movement and dynamic elements to enhance storytelling and engage viewers. Motion Designers often collaborate with graphic designers, art directors, and video editors to create cohesive visual experiences. They need a strong understanding of design principles, animation techniques, and storytelling to create compelling motion graphics.
A Multimedia Designer creates visual and interactive content across various media platforms. They combine graphic design skills with animation, video editing, and web design knowledge to produce engaging content. Multimedia Designers work on projects such as websites, mobile apps, videos, and interactive presentations. They need to be creative and detail-oriented and have a strong understanding of design principles and software tools.
